Interpretation and the Origin of Life

Abstract. We offer a general definition of interpretation based on a naturalized teleology. The definition tests and extends the biosemiotic paradigm by seeking to provide a philosophically robust resource for investigating the possible role of semiosis (processes of representation and interpretatio...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Southgate, Christopher 1953- (Author) ; Robinson, Andrew 1964- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Open Library of Humanities$s2024- 2010
In: Zygon
Year: 2010, Volume: 45, Issue: 2, Pages: 345-360
Further subjects:B Interpretation of
B Function
B origin of life
B autocell
B Life
B Natural Selection
B Purpose
B Semiotics
B Information
B Teleology
B ribozyme
B biosemiotics
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Parallel Edition:Non-electronic
Description
Summary:Abstract. We offer a general definition of interpretation based on a naturalized teleology. The definition tests and extends the biosemiotic paradigm by seeking to provide a philosophically robust resource for investigating the possible role of semiosis (processes of representation and interpretation) in biological systems. We show that our definition provides a way of understanding various possible kinds of misinterpretation, illustrate the definition using examples at the cellular and subcellular level, and test the definition by applying it to a potential counterexample. We explain how we propose to use the definition as a way of asking new questions about what distinguishes life from non-life and of formulating testable hypotheses within the field of origin-of-life research. If the definition leads to fruitful new empirical approaches to the scientific problem of the origin of life, it will help to establish biosemiotics as a legitimate philosophical approach in theoretical biology and will thereby support a theological appropriation of the biosemiotic perspective as the basis of a new theology of nature.
ISSN:1467-9744
Contains:Enthalten in: Zygon
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9744.2010.01085.x